What happens if Maharashtra sees a hung Assembly
What's the story
Several exit polls have given the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), an edge over the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra.
The MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
While many polls predict the Mahayuti crossing the 145-seat majority mark, three exit polls foresee a hung Assembly.
Poll predictions
Exit polls predict close contest, possibility of hung assembly
P-Marq predicted that Mahayuti could secure 137-157 seats, with MVA likely to get 126-146 seats.
Lokshahi-Marathi Rudra forecast a tight race, giving MVA 125-140 seats and Mahayuti 128-142 seats.
Dainik Bhaskar projects Congress and its allies could win 135-150 seats, while Mahayuti might get 125-140 seats.
The majority mark in the 288-member assembly is 145.
Government formation
Role of smaller parties and independents in a hung assembly
In case of a hung Assembly, smaller parties and independents could play a crucial role in government formation.
The governor usually invites the leader of the single largest party to form a government, giving them time to prove majority support.
If they fail, the governor may dissolve the Assembly.
A hung assembly could also potentially lead to a minority government. A minority government lacks an absolute majority in the House and must rely on other non-aligned parties to pass laws.
Result announcement
Election results to be announced on November 23
The results of these elections will be announced on November 23.
A total of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, contested the elections.
The BJP fielded candidates in 149 seats, Shiv Sena in 81, and Ajit Pawar's NCP in 59 constituencies.
The Congress contested 101 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) 86. Smaller parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party and the AIMIM are also in the fray.